PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania women's soccer head coach, Nicole Van Dyke, has announced the addition of six young women to the program. Jojo Cotto, Abbey Duncan, Malia Kealaluhi, Lucy Kellogg, Allie Schachter and Mia Shenk will join the squad in August for the 2018 season, with three hailing from the West Coast, two moving up from northern Virginia, and another bringing her talents from Texas.
 
"The 2018 class is an exceptionally talented class that we are thrilled to announce," said Van Dyke, who enters her fourth season with the Quakers in 2018. "In our first installment, we are adding six hard-working, driven and committed young women who embody the values of both the University of Pennsylvania and our soccer program. Their love for the game and for competing is infectious, and we have enjoyed getting to know them and their families throughout the process. We look forward to having them join forces with our returning players and are eager to see their development as students, athletes and women over the next four years."
 
Penn returns 22 letter winners for the 2018 season, including nine starters, and will be led by junior goalkeeper Kitty Qu, the 2017 Ivy League Goalkeeper of the Year, who ranked seventh nationally in save percentage in NCAA Division 1 women's soccer statistics, along with second-team All-Ivy midfielder senior Allie Trzaska. The 2018 squad also returns All-Ivy honorable mention defender sophomore Chase Geffert.
 
JOJO COTTO
Height: 5'6"
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Menlo Park, Calif.
High School: Menlo-Atherton HS
Club Team: Palo Alto SC 99G Blue

High School: Lettered four years in soccer … Served as captain during her senior season … As a junior, helped lead team to the 2016 California CCS Division I title behind a 10-2-2 mark … Two-time All-PAL Bay Division first-team (2016, 2017) … Three-time Palo Alto Athlete of the Week … Four-time San Mateo Journal Athletic Honor Roll winner … Member of the Puerto Rican Women's National Team … At the age of 15, competed in World Cup Qualifiers for the U17 and U20 Puerto Rican National teams, starting three out of four games for the U20 side … Member and captain of the Cal North State ODP team from     2013-16, including the Region IV 0DP team in 2015 and 2016 ... As a sophomore, traveled to Costa Rica and served as captain of the Region IV ODP team, guiding the squad to the Region IV Championship game … Club team Palo Alto SC 99G Blue claimed the San Diego Surf Cup Championship in 2016 and is ranked 1^st nationally by GotSoccer.com … Four-year member of the California Scholarship Federation … Honored with 2017 Cal-Hi Sports Volunteer Award.
 
Personal: Daughter of Michele Chadwick and José Cotto … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because it's the perfect balance of academics and athletics. The University's challenging classes and hands-on learning opportunities were a must for me. On the soccer side, I couldn't be more excited to join the Women's Soccer program. After my campus visit, I knew Penn's competitive training environment, sense of family, and amazing coaching staff were the perfect fit for me."
 
Coach Van Dyke on Cotto: "Jojo comes to us after a very successful high school, club and international career.  She is a central-midfielder who can also play as a forward.  She has exceptional technical skills along with great striking ability.  Jojo will add depth to our midfield and will bolster our attack as a hardworking and well-rounded player.  As a person, she has impeccable character and will be a huge asset in the locker room."


ABBEY DUNCAN
Height: 5'9"
Position: Forward
Hometown: Nokesville, Va.
High School: Patriot HS
Club Team: McLean Youth Soccer ECNL
 
High School: Four-year letter winner in soccer … As a freshman, member of Cedar Run Conference championship squad, scoring the lone goal in a crucial match-up against the defending state champion to clinch the league title for the first time in school history … Three-year selection for the U.S. National Training Center (2013, 2014, 2015) … Competed in club soccer for McLean ECNL, helping the team to two ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference titles (2018, 2017) and USYSA National Finalists in 2016 … ECNL Player Development Program selection in 2016 … US Futsal Regional participant (2018) … Three-time Principal Honor Roll … National Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society member.
 
Personal: Daughter of Erin and William Duncan … Plans to enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of the amazing opportunities it provides academically. I get to study at one of the best schools in the country while also playing high level soccer. The coaches and team have high goals and that really attracted me. I can't wait to play here for the next four years!"
 
Coach Van Dyke on Duncan: "Abbey is a dynamic forward with a strong presence on the field. She has  proven herself as a goal scorer at the club level and brings a high level of potency to our front line.  She is equally good at creating chances and finishing them. As a person, she has high standards, is constantly challenging herself and will be a great teammate."
 
 
MALIA KEALALUHI
Height: 5'7"
Position: Central Defender
Hometown: El Cajon, Calif.
High School: Granite Hills HS
Club Team: Albion SC (CA) ECNL
 
High School: Lettered four years in soccer … Served as team captain … Helped lead team to the CIF Championship game … Named to the All-Academic team, earned All-League honorable mention and named Rising Star … Competed in club soccer for Albion SC (CA) ECNL and San Diego Surf ECNL … Won multiple club championship titles, including Surf Cup, Manchester Cup, Albion Cup, State Cup and National Cup … Played on the Olympic Development Program State, Regional and National teams … Competed in the Cal South ODP Championships in Arizona … Invited to U.S. National Training Centers … National Honor Society member … Key Club member … Finished high school ranked third in her class … Served as the yearbook editor.
 
Personal: Daughter of Dawn and Levi Kealaluhi … Plans to enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
 
Why Penn? "There is no better place for me than Penn. Its prestigious academics and competitive athletics create the perfect environment for me. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew that I would fit in perfectly. The community is diverse and exciting, and I am thrilled to become a part of such an amazing group of athletes and students."
 
Coach Van Dyke on Kealaluhi: "Malia is a strong center-back who is technical, solid in the air and quick.  She is a possession oriented defender who also has the skill set to attack on the dribble.  Our backline will benefit from her high soccer IQ and organizational skills.  Malia brings an unparalleled combination of work ethic and enthusiasm to Penn.  Her maturity and leadership will serve our team for years to come."
 
 
LUCY KELLOGG
Height: 5'8"
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
High School: Woodrow Wilson HS
Club Team: McLean Youth Soccer ECNL
 
High School: Lettered two years in soccer, two in indoor track and one in outdoor track … Assisted soccer team to two city championships and one state title … Aided the track team to city and state championships in outdoor track in 2015 … Named to St. Andrew's Episcopal Tournament Best XI team (2014) … Washington Post All-Met Assists Leader in 2014 and 2015 … Served as four-year Virginia ODP captain (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) … Region 1 Olympic Development team member from 2014-2016 … Served as 2016 Region 1 ODP captain and honored as All-Star the same year … Invited to 2015 ODP National Camp … Played club soccer for the McLean ECNL squad … Attended the 2012 U.S. Track and Field Nationals … Earned second place All-State in outdoor track in the steeplechase event (2015) and 5^th place All-State in the 4x800m relay in the same year … Two-time Honor Roll (2014, 2015) … Class valedictorian … Peer tutored students during high school … Earned a USSF 'F' soccer coaching license … Coached soccer during summer camps and personal trains younger players in her club. 
 
Personal: Daughter of Elizabeth Cavendish and Clifton Kellogg … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because of its unmatched combination of academics and soccer. Though I am undecided on my major, the plethora of strong academic opportunities drew me to Penn from the start. I know that regardless of what major I choose, the education I receive here will prepare me well for the future. On the athletic side, the coaches are creating an environment with high standards and one in which players think and make decisions on their own. The team's culture also drew me to Penn. They are a very close-knit, competitive, growth-oriented group that creates a sense of belonging for all members of the program. I am so excited to vie for an Ivy League championship and a berth into the NCAA Tournament with this team!"
 
Coach Van Dyke on Kellogg: "Lucy can play both at the back and in the midfield.  She is an insightful passer with great vision and technique.  Lucy can control the tempo of the game with her fluidity on the ball and her ability to play a wide variety of passes.  She is a natural leader, whose charismatic personality brings out the best in her teammates. 
 
 
ALLIE SCHACHTER
Height: 5'5"
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: Bellaire HS
Club Team: Albion SC (TX) ECNL
 
High School: Four-year letter winner in soccer … Served as team captain … Played a major role in back-to-back-to-back District 18-6A titles during high school, helping the team to a 34-1-1 record during that three-year span … Three-time placement on the 18-6A All-District team (2017, 2016, 2015) … Honored on the All-Greater Houston first-team (2017) and awarded the District 18-6A Player of the Year (2017) … Named the District 18-6A Offensive MVP (2016) … Has recorded 86 goals and 58 assists to date ... Served as captain and won a gold medal with the 2017 USA Maccabi National Junior Girls team at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2017 … US National Training Center participant … Selected to play in a friendly against the US U15 Girls Youth National Team … Played in three consecutive South Texas State Cup Championships for the Houston Express, finishing as finalists in 2015 and 2016, and bringing home the title in 2017 … Competed for two seasons with the ECNL Albion Hurricanes club team … Student Council and National Honor Society member … AP Scholar with Distinction … Served as the Ping-Pong Club President … President of the "She's the First" club, which raises money for underprivileged girls who aspire to be the first in their family to attend college.
 
Personal: Daughter of Kerry and Rick Schachter … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn because when I visited the school it was exactly what I was looking for.  It had everything I wanted.  I loved the campus and the Philadelphia area.  The academic load was rigorous and the soccer was competitive.  Penn also provided a lot of classes that I was really interested in.  I found a team that was close and pushed each other to be better soccer players, better students, and better people."
 
Coach Van Dyke on Schachter: "Allie is a midfielder with a multi-faceted set of abilities and great game awareness.  She is exceptional in the air, can strike from distance and play multiple positions.  She will fit in perfectly with her ability to impact our attack in a multitude of ways.  Allie is a competitor, who challenges herself and others to reach new heights in training and games. "


MIA SHENK
Height: 5'11"
Position: Forward
Hometown: Woodside, Calif.
High School: Sacred Heart Prep
Club Team: MVLA (ECNL)
 
High School: Lettered four years in soccer … Served as team captain … Helped team to the CIF-CCS Championship game two consecutive years (2015, 2016), bringing home the title in her junior year … Named three-time first-team All-League (2015, 2016, 2017) … Awarded league's Most Valuable Forward (2016) … Honored as Prep2Prep's CCS Freshman of the Year (2015) … Ranked by MaxPreps in the Top 10 in the state and Top 10 in the nation in goals scored during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons … Also led squad to the WBAL title three years running (2015, 2016, 2017) … Competed in club soccer, serving as MVLA ECNL team captain for two seasons (2016, 2017) … Two-year ECNL Player Development Program participant (2016, 2017) … Named ECNL "Player to watch" (2015) … CIF-CCS Scholastic Award winner (2016-2017) … Honored with the Academic Excellence award in AP Calculus (2018).
 
Personal: Daughter of Stacey and John Shenk … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Why Penn? "I chose Penn, not only for its extraordinary academics and research based learning, but also for the opportunities and experiences the University presents. I look forward to immersing myself in rigorous academics as well as the shared athletic competitiveness of the soccer team. Through Nicole's leadership, I am encouraged to be my best self on and off the field.  Joining her team and winning an Ivy League championship motivates me."
 
Coach Van Dyke on Shenk: "Mia is a strong forward with pace to run at defenders.  She is exceptional in 1v1 situations and brings a tremendous amount of work rate to our front line.  She is a true competitor and brings a winning mentality to everything she sets her mind to. Her energy and competitive spirit is a fantastic match for our program"